Audi A5

Av8r_Mark

I was wondering if anyone has info on the launch date of this model into Ireland and prices from Audi for here also?

kikel

user QZ posted this picture on the famous "heres what i saw today" thread. it must of already being launched Nice motor. i like that chrome

38psi

Av8r_Mark wrote:

I was wondering if anyone has info on the launch date of this model into Ireland and prices from Audi for here also?

I saw one in Grange Motors yesterday so I would imagine they are available for test drive.

copacetic

Av8r_Mark wrote:

I was wondering if anyone has info on the launch date of this model into Ireland and prices from Audi for here also?

they are available already and the pricing is on the audi site.

Moanin

The official launch in Ireland will be held in the IFSC on Tuesday 17th of July

Rowley Birkin QC

So what do people think of it? Good looking alternative to fugly 3-series coup methinks.

pburns

bigkev49 wrote:

So what do people think of it? Good looking alternative to fugly 3-series coup methinks.

It's a bit bland and certainly hasn't been that well received by the critics. Personally I think the proportions are a little off.

I really growing to like the 3-series coupe - it's one of the more sucessful iterations of 'Bangle-ism'.

copacetic

i thought it was pretty well received by all the critics? I prefer it to the 3 series coupe myself.

sk8board

The image above is the S5, also for sale here at the same time as the A5.

Heard just the evening that 'a fella I know' has one ordered for the past few months. (€85k of his finest Euro's).
Its the same 4.2 FSI 354BHP 6SP as in the RS4.

copacetic

sk8board wrote:

Its the same 4.2 FSI 354BHP 6SP as in the RS4.

not quite, the RS4 has the small extra matter of 64 extra bhp!

You are thinking of the S4 I think, which has basically the same engine setup as the S5.

MarkN

Only the larger engines are available at the moment in the A5. The 3.0 TDI seems to be the winner in the A5 but the S5 is just gorgeous. However, €85,000 is a lot and I've had to tell myself many times over the last couple of months that I'd be insane. I'm spending 300 quid a month on fuel keeping an S3 on the road (and I rarely leave Dublin in it) so I can only imagine what the running costs of an S5 are. But of course, it's not about that

Prices on Audi.ie or Carzone.

TheBazman

Have read quite a few reviews and it seems that the 3.0 Diesel is the one to go for. Saying that, the general consensus is that the 3-series coupe is slightly better.

My one concern with these (BMW coupe, A5 and other) motors is that they are quite attractive shortly after launch because of their exclusivity (due to the larger engines being released first), but then once the smaller engines are released they are everywhere. Saying that I suppose its only a huge concern if you want to turn heads.

fletch

38psi wrote:

I saw one in Grange Motors yesterday so I would imagine they are available for test drive.

Just dropped into Grange Motors on my lunch and couldn't see any A5.....anybody know where it is now?

RedorDead

Drove it last week, drives pretty nicely. Hard to call between it and a 3 Series Coupe. Car i drove had quattro which swung it for me.

Customer previews as someone else said are being held in Ely CHQ IFSC from the 17th onwards.

2.0 petrol and diesels arrive in 1st quarter next year.

MarkN

My main concern about the 3 Series over the A5 is that I am very much used to (and converted!) to Quattro. The S3 I have just glues to the road, wet or dry.

If I were to get a BMW over the Audi then I might miss that, coupled with the drop in power (I'd more likely go for a 325 coupe) it might be too much!!

Ideally, a 335 would be my choice as a second best to an S5, not far off S5 performance but A LOT cheaper to buy but if I can get a 325 with a nice spec or a 335 with a poverty one, then it'll be the 325.

Can anyone vouch for the new 3 coupe's handling compared to Quattro?

Other thing is what has been mentioned, once 318s/320s start to appear, they start to get very common. I assume the A5 will be the same - although you see far less A6s than 5 series.

MercMad

Can anyone vouch for the new 3 coupe's handling compared to Quattro?

..........didn't the M3 get around the Top Gear track faster than the S4 ??

I'd fancy an A5 3.0 diesel, though I too am unsure about the styling, and I haven't seen any in the flesh !!

38psi

I drive a 335i coupe and can vouch for its amazing handling and power delivery, as regards to a direct comparisson to the quattro I dont think you can compare the rear wheel drive BMW to the quattro system. I have seen the A5 and its nice but the 335 will always win out for me.

unkel

MarkN wrote:

Ideally, a 335 would be my choice as a second best to an S5, not far off S5 performance but A LOT cheaper to buy

Yeah I don't get the S5. For it's performance it is way overpriced. As in 335 performance (give or take) for M3 money. Surely they won't sell at all?

MarkN

It could be one of those things that when you add your own personal spec, a 335 M sport is not hugely more than a 325 M sport due to the 335 having a few things like auto as standard - that's €3,005 closer to the 335 already.

There is just something very nice about the BMW.

The S5 is fairly expensive, maybe they should've put a smaller lump in it or something, 4.2 is not needed to achieve 354 bhp but then again, I love the understated Audi thing.

I dunno.. !

38psi

unkel wrote:

Yeah I don't get the S5. For it's performance it is way overpriced. As in 335 performance (give or take) for M3 money. Surely they won't sell at all?

They might snag a few possible BMW drivers but in the main I dont think it will be that many, also as the RS4 is now out of production they may target them aswell. The diesel version will be the smart choice.

MarkN

Got my invitation to the launch of the A5/S5 in the post this morning.. I will bring my camera if allowed

RedorDead

unkel wrote:

Yeah I don't get the S5. For it's performance it is way overpriced. As in 335 performance (give or take) for M3 money. Surely they won't sell at all?

One thousand euro over the old S4 which didnt really sell. 18K below the M3 which will sell for €103K. 16K above the 335 Coupe at 69k. I think its positioned nicely between the 335 and M3. The RS5 will take on the M3 Coupe then whenever that comes out.

unkel

RedorDead wrote:

18K below the M3 which will sell for €103K. 16K below the 335 Coupe at 69k. I think its positioned nicely between the 335 and M3

But that's my point that it can't justify the enormous premium over the 335. About the same price as the 335 (corrected for spec level) and it will sell in some numbers. With these price settings, very few will be sold in this country imho

unkel

MarkN wrote:

Got my invitation to the launch of the A5/S5 in the post this morning.. I will bring my camera if allowed

You'll be the official boards envoy so. Please post back here with your findings (and pics)!

copacetic

got my invite too, will have to check it out.

i'll be looking at the 1.8T with xtras so I guess will be making it less 'exclusive'.

sorry!

MarkN

unkel wrote:

But that's my point that it can't justify the enormous premium over the 335. About the same price as the 335 (corrected for spec level) and it will sell in some numbers. With these price settings, very few will be sold in this country imho

How much was an E46 M3 new? A tad under 100k if memory serves me right? The S5 has slightly more power but will probably be less of a car than the E46 and it's 15k ish cheaper so when you look at it like that it's not too bad.

There is defintely quite a gap between the price of a new 335 coupe and an S5 coupe though - perhaps Audi do it intentionally to keep their S cars exclusive. I still think 85k before extras is a little on the high side, I certainly won't be buying one anyway as it would cost me €1145 per month and for me that is just too much when the ECB keep knocking up mortgage rates!

However, if an RS4 loses €25,000 in one year, then maybe I'll pick up a nice 2007 ex demo S5 early next year !

R.O.R

Anyone else who went last night a bit disapointed by the launch? One of the most lacklustre events I've been to in the last few years.

No dealers there (as Audi wanted to keep it dealer neutral) so just Audi staff. 3 cars on display, finger food and free wine - but if you've been to a BMW launch in the few years you'll have seen how these things should be done.

Car looks very well, but even the 3.0Tdi they had on display (outside) was coming in over €85,000 with all the extra's! Dealer lauches should be coming up shortly, probably better there than last night!

MarkN

Wasn't too impressed either! As you say, the dealers launches are coming up soon, my invitation is to where I bought my car in Cork though

The S5 came in at €103,000 with all the toys on it, that's nearly brand new M3 money but obviously nobody is forcing you to spend almost 20k on extras.

The staff there were more than able to answer questions that I asked, they also said you would pick up a good deal 07 S5 in Jan I'm not sure if he meant RS4 depreciation but it is worth noting.

I found switches for windows, climate control and things not really very solid and thought the nasty big cup holder in the arm rest was a bit of an eye sore in a car for that price. I'd expect it in a 1.1 Polo but not in an Audi retailing at over 100k.

Looks wise I thought it was lovely, the A5 will need the right wheels to make it look the part, the S Line pack was the thing that caught my eye in the price/spec brochure but again, for exterior and interior it came in at around €7,000, add your leather, auto box and bluetooth and that's around €14,000.

Did it blow the BMW coupe out of the water for me? No.

Here's my pics anyway, I took them with a Nokia N95 so don't be expecting anything too arty.

copacetic

thanks for the pics mark, any more full profile or front on?
what did you think of the interior? I think I prefer your S3 tbh.
the aircon/cd/vents look very old fashioned imo. an not even
alu pedals!

unkel

Thanks for the feed back, guys. I like that first picture, Mark. It looks quite big though. Is the A5 much bigger than an E92?

MarkN

No alu pedals, no floor mounted accelerator which I thought was VAG wide now almost (my car certainly has one!).

Would you believe I didn't get a front shot at all lads, I actually forgot.

Is it much bigger than the E92, I don't think so. I think the C pillar might give you that impression but they seemed the same to me - great boot size actually.

R.O.R

I personally would have thought a bit larger than an E92, room in the rear seats for a grown adult (as there is in the E92) as long as you don't have the front seats all the way back.

Forgot to check the boot space, but the cabin was well laid out and you'd get used to the MMi system like the I-drive.

One Dublin dealer is launching on the 25th (west Dublin), one in South Dublin is doing it on the 28th. Got my invites to both this morning but will probably just go to the one in South Dublin. Check the websites and you may be able to register for an invite and test drive.

Páid

I was a bit underwhelmed with the launch as well. I have a few photos of the launch here

copacetic

MarkN wrote:

no floor mounted accelerator which I thought was VAG wide now almost (my car certainly has one!).

noticed that myself from your pics, not sure I could go back to a car without a accordian style one now that I am used to it.

PauloMN

copacetic wrote:

what did you think of the interior? I think I prefer your S3 tbh.
the aircon/cd/vents look very old fashioned imo. an not even
alu pedals!

Just looking at the pics posted here, I have to agree on the dashboard. It's odd looking, there's something "80s/90s Japanese car"-looking about it, can't quite put my finger on it. I'm sure the quality of it is fine, but I prefer the dashboard on my A4.

The outside looks gorgeous IMO.

What's the full engine line-up going to be? I can see it doing well in Ireland with 2 litre turbo petrols and diesels.

copacetic

PauloMN wrote:

Just looking at the pics posted here, I have to agree on the dashboard. It's odd looking, there's something "80s/90s Japanese car"-looking about it, can't quite put my finger on it. I'm sure the quality of it is fine, but I prefer the dashboard on my A4.

The outside looks gorgeous IMO.

What's the full engine line-up going to be? I can see it doing well in Ireland with 2 litre turbo petrols and diesels.

the 1.8T is available here for is 50k which is interesting

MercMad

They should have had more there for a start with different optioned interiors and colours.

nothing to write home about IMO, though I will take a look at one in the flesh !

unkel

Just looked up the dimensions and the A5 is 6cm longer and 7cm wider, the latter being significant enough

copacetic wrote:

the 1.8T is available here for is 50k which is interesting

Same price as an E92 320i SE. Still RWD, but no longer a 6-pot. A critical review between these two low end (and in this country best selling) models would be good!

Dwilly

PauloMN wrote:

What's the full engine line-up going to be? I can see it doing well in Ireland with 2 litre turbo petrols and diesels.

A5 COUPE 1.8 FSI 170BHP 6SP 170 €49,900
A5 COUPE 2.7TDI 190HP MULTI SE 190 €60,850
A5 COUPE 3.2 FSI 265BHP 6SP Q 265 €61,950
A5 COUPE 3.2 FSI 265BHP MULTI 265 €64,900
A5 COUPE 3.0TDI 238HP 6SP SE Q

S5 COUPE 4.2 FSI 354BHP 6SP Q 354 €85,500

A bit disappointed the 200bhp 2.0T from the didn't make it in, would be a little more grunt than the 1.8.

PauloMN

Dwilly wrote:

A5 COUPE 1.8 FSI 170BHP 6SP 170 €49,900
A5 COUPE 2.7TDI 190HP MULTI SE 190 €60,850
A5 COUPE 3.2 FSI 265BHP 6SP Q 265 €61,950
A5 COUPE 3.2 FSI 265BHP MULTI 265 €64,900
A5 COUPE 3.0TDI 238HP 6SP SE Q

S5 COUPE 4.2 FSI 354BHP 6SP Q 354 €85,500

A bit disappointed the 200bhp 2.0T from the didn't make it in, would be a little more grunt than the 1.8.

Yeah, I wondered that when copacetic mentioned the 1.8T. I also would have thought for that car they'd have chosen the 2 litre turbo as the base petrol engine.

Mind you, I'm surprised there's no normally aspirated 1.6 petrol option with 14" alloys for the yummy mummies this being Ireland....

unkel

PauloMN wrote:

Yeah, I wondered that when copacetic mentioned the 1.8T. I also would have thought for that car they'd have chosen the 2 litre turbo as the base petrol engine.

Mind you, I'm surprised there's no normally aspirated 1.6 petrol option with 14" alloys for the yummy mummies this being Ireland....

LOL

I gather the base petrol engine for the A5 in some EU countries is the 3.2

MarkN

It has certainly helped me decide a bit more on the next car.. And it's 70/30 in favour of the BMW at the moment!

MercMad

Yeah if I was going to be interested it would have been the petrol turbo, now I'd probably pick the 2.7 diesel !

Are they doing a proper autobox or is it that one with the elastic bands and springs !

So I also see they are not all quattro either, missed that earlier. In this segment I dont think I'd want a front wheel drive car................though I can't truthfully think of a decent reason why !!

E92

PauloMN wrote:

Yeah, I wondered that when copacetic mentioned the 1.8T. I also would have thought for that car they'd have chosen the 2 litre turbo as the base petrol engine.

The most likely and probable reason they chose that engine(probably exclusively for the Irish market) is that if they chose the 2 litre engine, they would have had to pay VRT at the 30% bracket instead of the 25% which they will pay with the 1.8. So it knocks a few thousand off the price they might otherwise have had to charge.

I wonder why Audi didnt bring in the 170 bhp 2 litre TDI(if its available)? Surley it is a more sensible option than the 2.7 litre V6 TDI?

MarkN

The 3.0 diesel is not hugely more expensive than the 2.7 and it's a far better more opwerful option IMO.

I think the E92 has a better engine line up to be honest, 320 and the 325 mean you don't have to start shelling out mental money on tax.

Apart from the 1.8, the rest of the line up in the A5 is fairly 'non Irish market friendly'.

Dwilly

MarkN wrote:

The 3.0 diesel is not hugely more expensive than the 2.7 and it's a far better more opwerful option IMO.

True enough. The 2.0TDI is easily tuned to 200bhp as in the Seat Leon FR, IMO this would much better value for money! 2.7 is a rather old engine IIRC.

E92

unkel wrote:

LOL

I gather the base petrol engine for the A5 in some EU countries is the 3.2

I would imagine in some EU countries a petrol offering isnt even necessary!

unkel

MarkN wrote:

I think the E92 has a better engine line up to be honest, 320 and the 325 mean you don't have to start shelling out mental money on tax

Don't let the (admittedly painful and like you say mental) tax weigh too much though, Mark. Sit back and reflect and you'll find tax is only a fraction of the overall cost of owning the car. Depreciation will cost you several times what you pay in tax on a big engined car. The difference in how we perceive tax vs depreciation is that you actually have to pay tax. Depreciation is something you suffer in silence. You only notice when selling / trading in

RedorDead

MarkN wrote:

The 3.0 diesel is not hugely more expensive than the 2.7 and it's a far better more opwerful option IMO.

I think the E92 has a better engine line up to be honest, 320 and the 325 mean you don't have to start shelling out mental money on tax.

Apart from the 1.8, the rest of the line up in the A5 is fairly 'non Irish market friendly'.

2.0TFSI 211BHP and 2.0TDI 170 both arriving in the car next spring. Article below from SBP:


Audi A5 models now on sale

22 July 2007 By Ferdia O’Dowd

The first of Audi’s new A5 model variants are now in Irish showrooms, coming in SE trim.

This sleek 2+2 coupe will certainly turn heads and attract buyers for whom the TT model is too small.

Initially, the choice is between a 265bhp 3.2-litre petrol version with either front or Quattro drive (€64,900 and €65,250) or two diesels, a 190bhp 2.7 litre front wheel drive at €60,850 or a 238bhp 3.0 TDi Quattro model at €64,900.

Before the end of the year, there will be a 1.8 TFSi version at €50,000, while 2-litre diesel and petrol versions will come in spring next year.

Standard equipment levels are good on these SE versions, including 17-inch alloy wheels. At the same time, the more powerful S5 will be introduced.

This has a 4.2-litre V8 engine producing 354bhp. Its additional standard equipment includes 18inch alloy wheels and sports suspension, which may have a negative effect on Ireland’s less than perfect country roads.

When tested in Italy last May, Quattro versions proved enjoyable and very sure-footed but the standard front-wheel drive car seemed to lack poise and grip on wet, twisty roads.

Gatster

Saw an S5 at the Pavillions roundabout in Swords on Friday (sorry no pic, roundabout, p!ssing rain), and I have to say, it's very nice. I've been following this thread and was firmly on the 335i Coupe side, but seeing the S5 in the metal...wow...it was a dark grey, btw.

I don't think it's worth €85k before options though, I'd still probably pick a 335i coupe with the M-Sport pack, €10k of options and a couple of weeks in Antigua...

RedorDead

Gatster wrote:

Saw an S5 at the Pavillions roundabout in Swords on Friday (sorry no pic, roundabout, p!ssing rain), and I have to say, it's very nice. I've been following this thread and was firmly on the 335i Coupe side, but seeing the S5 in the metal...wow...it was a dark grey, btw.

I don't think it's worth €85k before options though, I'd still probably pick a 335i coupe with the M-Sport pack, €10k of options and a couple of weeks in Antigua...

Did you notice who the driver was???